Traffic Safety Program
The Jackson County Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program (Jackson Traffic Safety Program/JTSP) was originally a pilot project funded by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, chartered on March 10, 1988 with Jackson County as the legal entity.
At the present time, the Region 2 Planning Commission is the legal/financial agency for the Traffic Safety Program. The program has a part time director/traffic safety coordinator and is housed on the County Tower Building in Jackson.
The program is governed by the Jackson Traffic Safety Program Commission. The Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the County Tower Building.
The Commission is comprised of representatives from education, engineering, Jackson County Board of Commissioners, local units (townships), courts, law enforcement, Jackson City Council, a citizen representative and a senior citizen representative. Most of the representatives are chosen by their respective groups and serve a two-year period. The JTSP Commission also has two coordinators from engineering and criminal justice that serve on the board.
The monies to fund the Traffic Safety Program cone from the revenues generated through $5.00 court costs on all paid citations (except drunk driving) issued by all law enforcement agencies in Jackson County. However, JTSP receives only a third of that funding.
Money generated is used to fund grant programs in Jackson County that address traffic safety issues. All agencies that request grant funding from the Traffic Safety Program are required to have matching funds for their grant programs. Required match for non-enforcement programs in 50%. The match for enforcement programs is 25%. The funds are also used by the Director for the program and necessary program expenses.
Grants received by the Jackson Traffic Safety Program are reviewed by the Commission and must receive their approval for funding. The Program also coordinates all state and federal enforcement grants in Jackson County. These programs do not require any local match.